Three Exceptions --One Academic Year of Full-time Enrollment Requirement

Required internships for graduate students

A graduate student may apply for CPT prior to completing one full academic year of full-time coursework if that student’s academic program requires all students in that program to participate in a practical training prior to completing one full academic year of enrollment.

 

Authorized Reduced Course Loads (RCLs)

F-1 students approved for a part-time RCL during the first academic year may still count their enrollment during the RCL semester towards fulfillment of the one academic year requirement. 

 

Time spent studying full-time in the US in a status other than F-1

The one full academic year need not necessarily have been completed while in F-1 status; if you completed the one-year requirement while in another valid nonimmigrant status in the US, and completed an in-country change of nonimmigrant status to F-1 (via a Form I-539 that has been approved by USCIS), you may be eligible to apply for CPT.